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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
make shipwreck of faith unless he changes his course of action and
firmly connects with the Source of light.
If his interest in spiritual things were as great as it is in the things
of the world, his consecration to God would be entire; he would show
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himself a true disciple of Christ, and God would accept and use the
talents which are now wholly devoted to the service of the world. The
very same ability is required in the cause of God that is now given to
the accumulation of property. Managers are needed in every branch of
His work, that it may be carried on with energy and system. If a man
has tact, industry, and enthusiasm, he will make a success in temporal
business, and the same qualities, consecrated to the work of God, will
prove even doubly efficient; for divine power will be combined with
human effort. The best of plans, either in temporal or spiritual matters,
will prove a failure if their execution is entrusted to inexperienced,
incapable hands.
Those who bury their talents in this world are not pleasing God.
All their powers are devoted to the accumulation of property, and the
desire to accumulate becomes a passion. Brother A is an active man,
and he takes pride in carrying out worldly projects. If the same interest,
tact, and ambition were exercised in trading for the Lord, how much
grander, nobler results would he realize! The education obtained in
worldly business will not be of the least advantage in the future life,
for no such business will be carried on in heaven; but if the faculties
which God has given are used to His glory, to the upbuilding of His
kingdom, an education is received which will be taken into heaven.
What is our position in the world? We are in the waiting time. But
this period is not to be spent in abstract devotion. Waiting, watching,
and vigilant working are to be combined. Our life should not be all
bustle and drive and planning about the things of the world, to the
neglect of personal piety and of the service that God requires. While
we should not be slothful in business, we should be fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord. The lamp of the soul must be trimmed, and we must
have the oil of grace in our vessels with our lamps. Every precaution
must be used to prevent spiritual declension, lest the day of the Lord
overtake us as a thief. That day is not to be put far off; it is near, and
no man should say, even in his heart, much less by his works, “My
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Lord delayeth His coming,” lest for so doing his portion be appointed
with hypocrites and unbelievers.